Leonard Proctor and Mary Keep

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4. Captain Leornard Proctor (1735–1827), son of Thomas Proctor and Hannah Barron

Captain Leonard Proctor was born on 5 January 1734/5 in Westford. [1] He was baptized on 12 January 1735 in Westford. [10] He died on 3 January 1827, age 93 in Cavendish and is buried in the Proctor Cemetery in Proctorsville. [2][3][4] He married first Lydia Nutting, by an intention of 6 September 1760 in Westford. [5] Lydia was born about 1737, based on her age at death. She died on 17 November 1768 in Westford, age 30, and is buried in the Westlawn Cemetery in Westford. [4][6] Leonard married second Mary Keep of Harvard on 23 December 1769 in Harvard. [5]

5. Mary Keep (1744–1827), daughter of Capt. Jabez Keep and Experience Lawrence

Mary Keep was born on 23 March 1743/4 in Westford. [1] She was baptized on 8 January 1744 in Westford. [10] She died on 3 September 1827, age 84, and was buried in the New Cemetery in Proctorsville. [4][11][12]

Her father refers to Mary as Mary Proctor in his will.

Leonard owned the covenant at the church in Westford on 6 September 1761. [10]

Leonard was a selectman in Westford in 1770, 1778 and 1779 and he served on the Committee of Correspondence in 1778. [7]

Lieutenant Leonard Proctor served a few days on the Lexington and Concord Alarm of 19 April 1775. [8]

"After the war Captain Proctor removed to Cavendish, Vt., where he founded in an unbroken forest the village of Proctorsville."[7][8]

In 1790 Leonard headed a ten-person household in Cavendish consisting of three males over 16, three males under 16 and four females. In 1800 he headed a nine-person household in Cavendish consisting of one male over 45, one male 26 to 44, one male 16 to 25, two males ten to 15, one female over 45, two females 16 to 25 and one female ten to 15. In 1810 he headed a ten person household in Cavendish consisting of one male over 45, one male 26 to 45, three males 16 to 25, one male ten to 15, two females over 45, one female 26 to 44 and one female 16 to 25. [9]

Mr. Leonard Proctor and Mary his wife were dismissed from the church at Westford to the church in Cavendish in 1793. [10]

Leonard and Mary’s daughter Lydia wrote,

Lieut. Leonard Proctor’s widow survived him only 8 months and they both died I think. And his widow was so feeble at the time of her husband’s death, that she never could be made to realise his death at any time. I saw them both as they lay lifeless. Leonard Proctor was 93 years old and his widow about 80. [8]

Mary owned the covenant at the church in Westford on 14 October 1770. [10]

Photo: Capt. Leonard's house in Proctorsville

Children of Leonard Proctor and Lydia Nutting: Their births are recorded in Westford as the sons of Leonard and Lydia. [13]

i. Philip Proctor was born on 2 September 1761 in Westford. He died in 1795, age 34, in Charleston, South Carolina. [14]

Philip served with his brother Leonard on the sloop Winthrop during the Revolutionary War. [8] After the war, he married in Boston and settled in Charleston. After his wife and four children died, he returned to Boston. He later went back to Charleston and died there. [14]

ii. Abel Proctor was born on 28 December 1762 in Westford. He died on 13 July 1795 in the West Indies. [14] He married the widow Elizabeth Clark of New London on 5 October 1788.[14]

Abel served in the army and navy during the Revolutionary War. [14]

Abel purchased a small vessel, and with his brother Asa, set sail for the West Indies. A niece, Valeria (Blood) French of Proctorsville relates: [14]

Before they reached their destination, they found at an island a vessel owned in New London, the crew all having died of yellow fever. Asa stopped to take charge of the vessel and cargo and Abel proceeded on his voyage. After disposing of his cargo, he went up river, about twenty miles from his vessel to purchase coffee. In a day or two the captain [Asa] who remained with the vessel heard he was ill, so he started to go to him and reached the place in the evening to hear he “died the day before and was buried an hour ago.”

iii. Major Leonard Proctor was born on 8 October 1764 in Westford. He died on 29 February 1812 [8], age 47, in Cavendish [14] and was buried in the Cavendish Village Cemetary. [15][16] He married Experience ("Pede") Hildreth on 29 January 1792 in Ludlow, Vermont. [8][15] Pede was the daughter of Hosea and Experience (Keep) Hildreth and the granddaughter of Captain Jabez Keep (#10), and she was born in 1771. [14] Pede died on 24 July 1849. [22] She married second William Bond on 3 October 1818 in Cavendish. [8] William died on 8 November 1858. [8]

Pede was the daughter of Leonard's stepmother's sister Experience Keep.

Leonard enlisted on 13 September 1779 and served until 16 November 1779 as a private in Captain Nathaniel Larkin’s company, Colonel John Jacob’s Massachusetts regiment in Rhode Island. He re-enlisted and served from 29 August 1781 to 4 December 1781 as a private in Captain Daniel Bowker’s company, Colonel Webb’s Massachusetts regiment. He enlisted as a seaman and served on the sloop Winthrop, captain George Little, from 9 December 1782 to 17 March 1783. [8]

After the war, Leonard went to Cavendish with his father. [8]

Leonard’s wife later drew a widow’s pension for Leonard’s service, but her right to do this was disputed and her case takes up 86 pages. [8] There was no doubt that a Leonard Proctor served the three enlistments noted above, but there was a question about which Leonard Proctor had done so. A number of Pedee’s relatives testified successfully on her behalf that Lieutenant Leonard Proctor served only a few days and it must have been Leonard, Jr., and not his father Lieutenant Leonard. Her sister-in-law Lydia (Proctor) Powers took a different view, claiming that her father served throughout the war.

You see there is a mistake. Leonard Proctor Junior served in the Revolutionary War some, I suppose—he never was commissioned—and his widow Pedee Bond petitioned for a pension … It is mighty curious that she should get the pension of her dead husband’s father after marrying another man in a year’s time. It is a mistake —and if you will please note the service of Lieut. Leonard Proctor, from the years 1775 until 1783 … There is service on the rolls … I think you will … not let Pedee Bond trip us up in this way. [8]

iv. Asa Proctor was born on 26 November 1766 in Westford. He died on 18 November 1796, buried at sea. [15] He married Polly Clark of Chester on 19 April 1796. [15]

Children of Leonard Proctor and Mary Keep: The births of Molly, Lydia, Solomon and Thomas were recorded in Westford as the sons and daughters of Leonard and Mary, as was the baptism of Solomon. John's baptism was recorded in Westford as the son Leonard of Cavendish. [13]

v. Molly (“Polly”) Proctor was born on 20 October 1770 in Westford. She died on 27 November 1853 and is buried in the Farmersville Center Cemetery. [16] She married first Major Joseph Crary [17] on 12 July 1789 in Cavendish. [18] She married second Unknown Stuart and they lived in Farmersville, New York. [17] She married third Billa Root. [17, no first name] Billa, a Revolutionary War soldier, was born about 1757. He died on 5 February 1851 and is buried with Mary. [16]

vi. Lydia Proctor was born on 7 July 1772 in Westford. She died on 18 May 1858 in Ellicottville, Cattaraugus County, New York and is buried in the Jefferson Street Cemetery in Ellicottville. [16] She married Isaac Powers on 19 March 1789 in Cavendish.[17, only the year][18] Isaac was born on 5 April 1762 in Westford. [17] He died on 21 October 1826. [19]

On 11 September 1838 Jabez Proctor of Cavendish, age 57, testified that Lydia Powers was his sister and that he had attended her wedding. He said he was about nine and it was the first wedding that he could recollect attending. Solomon Proctor of Cavendish, age 64, also testified that he attended his sister’s wedding. He recollected that he was about 15 and she was about 17. [19]

Isaac Powers enlisted in June 1779 at Westford as a private in Captain Silas Pierce’s company in Colonel Jackson’s company. [19]

After the war Isaac and Lydia moved to Denmark, Lewes County, New York. On 18 March 1818 Isaac owned 101-1/2 acres of land, a yoke of oxen, a cow, a horse, farming utensils and some furniture and he had 25 dollars in cash. On 27 August 1819 he transferred 40 acres to his son Charles to satisfy a debt. That year, his two daughters married and as their portion he gave them 25 dollars and his household goods. In January 1821 the Supreme Court of New York ordered Isaac to pay John and Jabez Proctor a settlement of 203.17 dollars and 18.40 in costs. On 30 June 1821 the sheriff of Lewes County sold his oxen, cow, horse and produce to Isaac’s son Leonard Proctor. On 11 August 1821 the rest of his land was sold to his son Leonard to satisfy the claims of John and Jabez. On 5 April 1824 Isaac said that he had a personal estate of 29.55 dollars. He said that he was a 62-year-old farmer and only capable of a little light work because of rheumatism and a kidney complaint. He said that his wife Lydia was 51 on 7 July 1823 and “is insane and has been for most of the time for six years.” On 11 September 1838 Lydia (Proctor) Powers, a native of Cavendish, said that her husband had drowned in Denmark, Lewis County, New York, when they lived there. [19]

By September 1840, Lydia moved back to New York and lived in Ellicottsville. She collected a widow’s pension for the Revolutionary War service of her husband Isaac Powers. She was persistent and feisty about receiving it; her husband’s Revolutionary War pension file is 81 pages long. [19]

“She was a strong character and an ardent abolitionist.” [14]

Lydia's niece Harriet recorded her visits to her Aunt Powers in her journal.

vii. Captain Solomon Proctor was born in July 1774 in Westford and he was baptized there on 24 July 1774. He died on 4 November 1842, age 68, in Cavendish and is buried in the Old Cemetery in Proctorsville. [16][18] He married first Rebecca Spaulding on 30 May 1803 in Cavendish. [17][18] Rebecca was the daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (French) Spaulding. [17] She died on 14 January 1815, age 30 years, seven months and 25 days, in Cavendish. [18] He married second Sally Childs. [17] She died on 15 October 1816, age 39 years and ten months, in Cavendish. He married third Lydia Howe. [17] Lydia died on 6 August 1828, age 45 years and six months and was buried in the Old Cemetery in Proctorsville. [18] He married fourth Betsy Wright [17] on 24 November 1833 in Cavendish. [18]

Solomon was a soldier in the War of 1812. [17]

Solomon Proctor of Cavendish wrote his will on 1 November 1842. His heirs were his wife Betsy and his sons Adonijah How Proctor, James Ripley Proctor and Charles Keep Proctor.

viii. Thomas Proctor was born on 19 May 1776 in Westford. He died on 13 October 1867, age 91, of an "inflammation of the bowels" and is buried in the Proctor Cemetery. [16][18] He married first Abigail (Atwood) Searle on 15 September 1799 in Cavendish. [17][18] Abigail, the daughter of Joshua and Esther (Chamberlain) Atwood, was born in 1774 in Templeton, Massachusetts. [17] She died at Twenty-Mile Stream in Cavendish on 27 July 1851, age 77. [17][18] She married first Jonathan Searle. [17] Thomas married second Mrs. Sally Hemenway of Ludlow, Vermont, on 8 January 1859. She died on 23 February 1859, age 75. [17]

In 1846 Thomas Proctor, the brother of the soldier Leonard Proctor, Jr., was living in Cavendish. [8]

ix. Hannah Proctor was born on 3 July 1778 in Westford. [17] She died on 16 December 1868, age 90, and is buried in the Rushford Cemetery in Rushford, Allegany County, New York. [16] She married Billings Walker. [17] Billings was born on Brookfield, Massachusetts on 31 August 1767 and he died on 22 May 1852. [17]

x. Jabez Proctor was born on 22 April 1780 in Westford. He died on 22 November 1839. He married Betsey Parker.

xi. Experience Proctor was born on 25 September 1773 in Proctorsville. [17] She died on 27 December 1870, age 87, of "old age, nature's decay" and is buried in the Proctor Cemetery. [16][18] She married Zacheus Blood on 1 December 1805 [17, 1804] in Cavendish. [18] Zacheus was born in Dunstable, Massachusetts in 1776 and he died in Proctorsville in Ocober 1841. [17]

xii. John Proctor was born on 13 September 1785 in Proctorsville. [17] He was baptized on 5 February 1786. He died on 31 March 1837 and is buried in the Proctor Cemetery. [16] He married Sarah Smith on 14 December 1814. [17] Sarah was born on 4 February 1795 in Westminster, Massachusetts and she died on 9 October 1857 in St. Louis. [17]

On 24 March 1837, Harriet wrote in her journal, "Uncle John much worse today has been spitting blood father has been there all the time since we know not the day of our death. On 25 March she wrote, "Uncle better. Aunt S. came home." On 18 March she wrote, "Uncle John not quite as well." On 30 March she wrote, "Uncle John not as well." On 31 March she wrote, "Uncle J taken this morning puking blood again much distressed and faint died about 10. said but little seem'd & said he was perfectly reconciled he had given himself to Jesus bid his wife and friends farewell." On 8 April she wrote, "staid with Aunt Sarah all night; poor widow and fatherless children."

Endnotes:

1. Vital Records of Westford, 89, Lennard, s. Thomas and Hannah; Mary, d. Jabez and Experience (63).

2. “Vermont, Vital Records, 1720–1908,” Ancestry > 1870 and prior > Price–Purkins, image 1491.

3. “Capt. Leonard Proctor,” Findagrave, memorial 13898111.

4. Vital Records of Westford, 305–6. Westford deaths, Proctor:
Lydia, w. Leonard, Nov. 17, 1767 [1768, in her 31st y. G.R. 2]
Leonard [h. Mary], Jan. 3, 1827
Mary, w. Leonard, Sept. 3, 1827.

5. Vital Records of Westford, 220–2. Westford marriages, Proctor:
Leonard, and Lydia Nutting, int. Sept. 6, 1760.
Leonard, and Mary Keep of Harvard, Dec. 23, 1769.

6. "Lydia Nutting Proctor,"Findagrave, memorial 35617483, (photo of gravestone). "Here lies the body of Mrs. Lydia Proctor the wife of Leonard Proctor who departed this life November 7, 1768 in the 31st year of her age."

7. Proctor and Proctor, Genealogy of the Descendants of Robert Proctor, 29.

8. “Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications,” Fold3, entry for Leonard Proctor [Jr], petitioner Pedee Bond, summary letter, 2–3. Lydia Power's letter, dared 7 March 1854 Ellicottville, source of the quotes, 69.

9. “U.S. Federal Census,” Ancestry > 1790 > Vermont > Windsor > Cavendish, image 2; 1800 > Vermont > Windsor > Cavendish, image 4; 1810 > Vermont > Windsor > Cavendish, image 4.

10. "Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620–1988,"Ancestry > Westford > church records, baptisms as children of Jabez, pp. 9–30,p. 18, Mary, daughter of Jabez. Baptism Leonard (as s. Thomas), p. 9. Leonard's dismissal, p. 185, Leonard owned the covenant, p. 204, Mary (as w. Leonard) owned the covenant, p. 206.

11. “Vermont, Vital Records, 1720–1908,” Ancestry > 1870 and prior > Price–Purkins, image 1559.

12. "Mary Keep Proctor," Findagrave, memorial 13898154.

13. Vital Records of Westford, 88–90.

14. Proctor and Proctor, Genealogy of the Descendants of Robert Proctor, 290–2.

15. “Vermont, Vital Records, 1720–1908,” Ancestry > 1870 and prior > Price–Purkins, images 1493, 1495.

16. Findagrave: memorials for the children of Capt. Leonard Proctor.


"Maj. Leonard Proctor, Jr.,"memorial 92956509.	"Mary 'Polly' Proctor Root," memorial 97731019.	"Lydia Proctor Powers," memorial 60766654.	"Capt. Solomon Proctor," memorial 13898118

"Thomas Proctor," memorial 13898172	"Hannah ProctorWalker," memorial 61586750	"Experience ProctorBlood," memorial 13898137	"John Proctor," memorial 13898137

17. Proctor and Proctor, Genealogy of the Descendants of Robert Proctor, 58–63.

18. “Vermont, Vital Records, 1720–1908,” Ancestry > 1870 and prior > Price–Purkins

	death	marriage
Molly Proctor
		Image1629
Lydia Proctor
		Image 1535
Solomon Proctor
	Images 1708, 1642, 1538	Images 1707, 1705
Thomas Proctor
	Images 1728, 1241	Image 1723
Hannah Proctor

Experience Proctor
	Image 2608	Image 1381
John Proctor

19. Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications,” Fold3, entry for Isaac Powers.

Revised February 1, 2020